HC Deb 16 October 1945 vol 414 cc902-3
11. Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the Minister of Labour the number of working days lost in the last two months by unofficial trade disputes.

Mr. Isaacs

On the basis of such information as is available in my Department, the aggregate number of man-days lost during August and September in stoppages of work arising from industrial disputes is estimated at about 220,000. The corresponding figures for the period since the end of September are not yet available. While the information available does not permit a precise distinction to be made between official and unofficial trade disputes, practically all of the man-days lost arise from unofficial stoppages.

35. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Labour the number of man-hours lost from January, 1945, to the latest available date in unofficial stoppages on British railways, docks, trams and omnibus services; and what action does he propose to take to put an end to this type of action.

Mr. Isaacs

On the basis of such information as is available in my Department, the aggregate number of man-days lost, from the beginning of this year up to the end of September, in stoppages of work arising from industrial disputes in the railway, dock, tramway and omnibus services in Great Britain, is estimated at about 360,000. There has also been a further loss of working time at the docks during the first two weeks of the present month, but statistics as to the number of man-days lost during that period are not yet available. The information available does not permit a distinction to be made between official and unofficial trade disputes. As regards the second part of the Question, it is my policy to encourage the settlement of disputes by constitutional means.

Sir W. Smithers

In the national interest, will the right hon. Gentleman bring to the notice of the men concerned the facts and figures in simple form to show them the grave position of our export trade, the danger of inflation and the peril of the country as a consequence of these men's folly?

Mr. Isaacs

I do not think that reading an economics paper to men on strike will help them to go back to work.